Experimental Study on Color Optimization of Fighter Cockpit Interior Decoration

Objective: To study the preference of fighter pilots for the color of cockpit interior decoration and put forward the spraying color suitable for the whole cockpit and the devices in it, which provides the basis for the color design of cockpit interior decoration. Methods: 164 fighter pilots were selected as experimental subjects. Making two series of palettes of dark and light colors as experimental materials, in which, the light color system is an alternative color for the cockpit bulkhead while the dark system is for the main control devices. During the experiment, the subjects were asked to choose the colors that they considered to be suitable for cockpit bulkhead and main control devices from the two series of palettes and then sort these colors and finally choose the color they like in their daily life. Results: (1) The palette number C5 (agate grey) has the highest level of preference among the light color system, followed by C3 (misty grey), C4 (monky grey) and C6 (beige grey). Among the dark color system, the palette number C′8 (medium grey) and C′1 (concrete grey) are the most popular colors, followed by C′5 (cement grey). (2) The subjects’ preference for 12 light colors and 12 dark colors was different, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: In this study, the color of the bulkhead and the main control equipment of the fighter cockpit are optimized, and it is found that the daily color preference of pilots has no significant effect on their interior color selection of fighter cockpit. The results can be used as an important reference for color design of cockpit interior decoration.